The New Zealand Government has destroyed its credibility as an anti-whaling nation by approving the Ceebay Holdings fishing quota application.

Ceebay Holdings are partly owned by the Maruha Corporation of Japan, a company heavily involved in that country's whaling industry.

Mr Dunne says the Government's weak excuse that Maruha's involvement in whaling is at the minimum of whaling for Japanese fishing companies is pathetic.

"Most people regard whaling as unacceptable in any circumstances and this Government has previously spoken out against Japan's scientific whaling."

"But now it seems to be trying to have it both ways by saying that minimal - however that is defined - involvement in whaling is acceptable."

"It is a marine NIMBY policy - we will ignore Japan's whaling so long as it does not occur anywhere near our waters."

"Last week President Clinton banned Japanese fishing companies from fishing in Japanese waters because of Japan's continued pro-whaling stance."

"Now, when it has a chance to reinforce that message, New Zealand wimps out, because our Government is too scared to stand up to the Japanese fishing companies and risk upsetting the Japense Government on wider trade access issues."

"As a result, our credibility to speak out against whaling has been destroyed," Mr Dunne says.

Ends

© Scoop Media